.: Tokyo Babylon :.

Tokyo Babylon :: Clamp
VOLUME 5
:: translated by hecate :: editted by hachi mitsu ::
:: volume 04 :: OLD :: BOX :: REBIRTH :: volume 06 ::
Annex

volume 6

Tokyo Babylon
VOL.6/OLD

Human beings aren't eternally young…one day or another, they find themselves old. (A high contrast black and white picture of countless branches, and a single black bird)

SIGN : Mr. and Mrs. Nomura

MRS SACHIYO NOMURA (looking at her account book): No…it's not possible…I'm sorry, but starting next month, you must cut down on your personal expenses.
MR NOMURA : WHAT?! But than I'll never get to go out!
MRS SACHIYO : We have no choice! Next year Soko starts elementary school and Shinya starts kindergarden…and with the mortgage due on our house, it's financially impossible to survive without making some sacrifices!
MR NOMURA (worried): Ok….calm down. I thinki it's mean of you to reproach me like this when I work so much….
SACHIYO : I do all I can with my two jobs…even so the little money I earn is never enough for us to go out. But… I don't want us to go commit suicide…like our neighbors, the Miuras, who killed their child too! Do you know how much money we need to live comfortably!? Don't forget the three year mortgage on the house, we have another.
GRANDPA (sitting alone in a room somewhere in the house, looking sadly at an old photo of his younger self and a woman holding a small baby girl) : Kanae…Still one thing…

(In a house, Subaru kneels in prayer before his spiritual work station. behind him sits two men in suits. One of them looked terrified as ghosts materialised and gradually became the outline of a family. The smoke dispered as the spirits of the family was released)

GUY IN SUIT 1 (looked really comically freaked out): You're done?
SUBARU : Yes
GUY IN SUIT 2 (serious): Thank you… (In the background the first guy sighs dramatically in relief)
GUY IN SUIT 1 (not concerned anymore) : Yes, me too! We can finally sell this house! Since the old owners committed suicide three months ago…we've had numerous problems with the new buyers…They say they see ghosts, and hear their cries! All this has obviously stopped the house from being properly sold, right Mr. President?
GUY IN SUIT 2 (Mr. President) : Be quiet, please watch what you say! I imagine you've already aquinted yourself with the documents I gave you? I am aware of what this family endured to pay the mortgage on their house…they called an established financeer, but by then their debts were already too high…they saw themselves as hoplessly trapped and killed their ten year old daughter in cold blood, with a knife blow….Then they hung themselves in the living room…I'm a CEO of an immovable company and it's not in my best interests to say this sort of thing, but I find it unconscienceable that a family with an average revenue couldn't even own this house…today, because of the economic crisis, the price of land in Tokyo stays too high for the large minority of people….Most of them are obligated to ride four hours on a train to get to work, just to have a normal quality of life…but the rent keeps rising and everyone knows it's impossible to have a big house… Because…houses are so small…It's often the old people who suffer the most. Pardon me! I've held you up with my talk and Ibelieve it can't interest you that much!
SUBARU (cutely distressed) : No, don't say that!
MR PRESIDENT (a bit sad, but cheers up) : It's surely because I'm getting on in years that this problem interests me so much!
SUBARU : No no no!

(Subaru leaves with his onmyoujitsu equipment, staring at the ground, feeling helpless about the situation. Suddenly, as he passed a park, a dozen birds fly by. Curious, he peeked into the park and saw an old man surrounded by birds)

SUBARU (delightfully suprised, and blushes) : Sir…you're…marvelous!! Oh?
GRANDPA (pleased) : I believe this little bird really likes you! (a little bird landed on Subaru's shoulder then hopped onto his hat, peeking down at him. How cute!)
SUBARU : How did you attract so many birds without giving them any food? Is it a special talent?
GRANDPA : Don't be so impressed, it's not hard.
SUBARU : I think even a great master of Yin and Yang….couldn't call so many creatures at one time….
GRANDPA : What's a great master of Yin and Yang?
SUBARU : What?
GRANDPA : In fact, these birds are just my friends… And I meet them here everyday, just to pass the time with them!
SUBARU : They're your friends?
GRANDPA : Yes…because you know, animals are very good at perceiving human feelings…they feel sadness as well as joy… that lets them adjust their behavior to interact with people. Those who approach them…and really want to be friends, only need to wish it from the bottoms of their hearts…sadly humans are different from animals, and they don't know how to read…other's hearts.
SUBARU : Really! That's exactly what I think! I love animals! (gets really excited causing all the birds to jump in alarm) And I'm sure they understand everything that I say!! Pardon me! I'm acting so familiar and we don't even know each other…
GRANDPA : Oh well, we do now!
SUBARU : What?
GRANDPA : Now we know each other.
SUBARU : Yes, that's true! Long ago, when I was little I had a dog… (picture of mini-Subby hugging a dog bigger than he was) We really had a lot of fun together…we were inseperable…Then one day he fell ill…I stayed with him all the time, unable to alleviate his pain…I didn't even know what pain was…I was totally powerless…He died in my arms…without a sound….that day I said to myself I must help animals… To begin with I wanted to be a vet, but to obtain the degree, I had to dissect an animal, and I refused to do it…so, I thought I wanted to become a zookeeper…because that seemed like a nice job, it allowed me to stay near animals. Sadly, I can't do either…I have a job that doesn't suit me well, but I don't really have a choice…I know it'll never happen…but I won't abandon my childhood dream, even for the world…
GRANDPA : Why do you like animals so much?
SUBARU : Oh, well…I've had bad experiences with humans…I often can't make them understand how I feel! Anyway, I prefer to say nothing…because animals understand me without my needing to say a single word…
GRANDPA : I know…
SUBARU : What?
GRANDPA : I used to work at the Ueno zoo.
SUBARU : Really?
GRANDPA : At 18 that was my retreat, I never spent a day away from the birds! I almost never talked to human beings, but instead I spent all my days with the birds…
SUBARU : That explains the incredible relationship you have with birds now!
GRANDPA : The dog you told me about…it died at your side, right?
SUBARU : Yes…
GRANDPA : It never left you for a single instant even though it was suffering…
SUBARU : No, it never left me…
GRANDPA : I believe that dog considered you…as his best friend. Usually dogs don't show themselves when they're going to die, even to their masters. Animals are intelligent and very intuitive…your dog knew he was going to die…but he wanted to stay with you up till the last moment. That dog was your friend and he admired you. This story confirms what I thought…I'm sure your dream will come true!
SUBARU : It was my friend…
GRANDPA : What ever happens, I beg you, don't abandon your dream! Take a good look at me, if I'm still alive, it's because I've always dreamed…
SUBARU : I'm really sorry…to burden you with my stories…look how the time has passed! Your family must be waiting for you…they've surely worried!
GRANDPA : No one worries about me…
SUBARU : Why? You live alone?
GRANDPA : No, but…my wife passed away 30 years ago and I live with my daughter's family…
SUBARU : Oh…pardon me, I didn't mean to be…so nosey!
GRANDPA : But it's like I don't have a family…
SUBARU : What?
GRANDPA : I know very well they resent my burdening them…

(It is dark and ojiisan arrives home)

SACHIYO (her face dark with anger, as usual) : Papa, you're late again! I told you to come home earlier for dinner! I'm getting fed up! Soko! Shinya! Calm down…dinner will be done in a minute…
GRANDPA (looks at his daughter sadly, and continues into the living room where his grandson and granddaughter are) : Ah, it's you my little ones! What do you want?! Come in!
SOKO : Say Papa
GRANDPA : Yes?
SHINYA : When are you going to die?
SOKO : Mommy says when you die, we get your room!
SHINYA : So, Papa, when are you gonna die?
GRANDPA (his face in pain and his hands tremble on his knees) : Soko, Shinya, tell your mama very nicely that I'm not hungry tonight, that I'm very tired and I'm going to bed!
SOKO : 'kay!
GRANDPA (crying, holding the photo to his chest) : Kanae….there's still something I must do… And once I do it…I'll come join you…

(A black knight piece is placed on a chess board)

SEISHIRO : It's been a longtime since I've seen Subaru…I wonder if he has a lot of work right now?
HOKUTO (dressed in "playing card costume" with hearts and diamonds and so forth, complete with hat) : I even made him a lunch box! He's been visiting Grandpa a lot lately.
SEISHIRO : Hey, I had no idea your grandfather was still alive?!
HOKUTO : But he isn't…Check Mate! He's not ours! Subaru's just off to se someone else's grandfather…and what do you say about this move?!
SEISHIRO : Someone else's? Oh, you've got me..
HOKUTO : Yes, he met an old man in the park after work…it seems he's really likeable, and he used to work at the Ueno zoo!
SEISHIRO : Ok, I get it! But why does he keep meeting this grandfather?
HOKUTO : Oh well…I think he plans to ask his advice. You know very well that his big dream is to become a zoo keeper!
SEISHIRO : Yes, that's true…he's always attracted to that sort of person…is it their age or physical appearance.
HOKUTO : Actually….between you and me he often empathizes with old people and animals!
SEISHIRO (points at himself and laughs *Ahahahaha*): I'm almost an old person!
HOKUTO (laughs with him): What a coincidence! (*Ooooohohohoho* sometimes Hokuto worries me...)

(The park again, the stone pillers on either side is engraved with the words "Children's Garden")

SUBARU (sits with ojiisan, pouring him tea and offering him a box of yummy aquatic treats. lucky ojiisan.) : I'd like to ask you a question…help yourself, my sister made it for us!
GRANDPA : Go on, I'm listening!
SUBARU : Tell me, Grandpa….what is your dream?
GRANDPA : You really want to know?
SUBARU : Yes, if you don't mind!
GRANDPA : After trying to conceive for many years, my wife had the joy at thirty of giving birth to an adorable little girl…we decided to show the happiness this little angel brought us by naming her Sachiyo (world happiness). Sadly….our happiness was short lived because my wife was very weak, and died of a terrible sickness six years after Sachiyo's birth. On her death bed, she asked me to make a promse…since she didn't have time to give Sachiyo all the things she needed. She asked me to do 100 good deeds for our little one. I promised my wife to grant her wish…And to do everything in my power to make our daughter happy. Today, I'm proud to be able to say that I've already pleased my daughter 99 times….still one more thing to do before my spirit can finally go to heaven in peace! Then I can join my wife…and tell her I kept my promise! There! You surely must think that's stupid….
SUBARU : No, to the contrary, I think your dream is really marvelous!
GRANDPA : All that's left is this picture… (hands over the battered picture) my daughter threw away all my family albums under the pretext that our house is too small and we need to conserve space… When Sachiyo was little, her favorite fruit was bananas…she liked to use being a bit sick as an excuse to eat more…but I argued with her each time, because I dislike lies…Today…all that seems so far away…

(back in the cheerful household of doom. hey look! it's dinner time again.)

SACHIYO (angry. suprise?): Do you understand what I told you? We don't have the means to buy this kind of useless stuff!
HUSBAND : Calm down, don't I even have the right to buy a golf club?!
SACHIYO : Don't you think there are more important things?! You don't seem to understand the lengths I go through to make ends meet!
HUSBAND : The salesman was presented to me by my superior…I had no choice! But if you want I'll borrow some money…
SACHIYO : No! Don't talk to me about ever borrowing money!!

(Sachiyo suddenly faints. ojiisan was eating alone in his room and rushes out upon hearing the commotion)

KIDS : Mommy!?
HUSBAND : Sachiyo!? Sachiyo! Sachiyo!
KIDS : Mommy!

(The next morning)

SOKO : Mommy, I'm going to school, take care!
SACHIYO (lying in bed) : I can't even remember how many times I wasn't sick…I think I've been too worried about my job right now… Where are you going?
GRANDPA (looks sad) : Go to bed, you need rest…I'll go do some shopping.
SACHIYO (furious) : Shopping! I really seem to think you don't care about our financial troubles! I remind you that what little pocket money you have comes from me! You shouldn't spend our money if you can't make any yourself.
GRANDPA (attempts to smile) : see you later…

(Subaru is sitting alone in the park, yet another box of yummy goodies sit on his lap)

SUBARU : It's weird…I feel like he's not coming today…
VOICE : Kyaaaaaaaaaa! Kyaaaaaaaaa! Look an old man was hit by a truck!
SUBARU (hears the shoutings and rushes towards it in fear, dropping the poor box of goddies) : It's not possible… Pardon…excuse me…Grandpa?!! Grandpa! Hold on!! Grandpa!!
MAN : He crossed the road without waiting for the signal, and he was thrown forward by the truck!
SUBARU : Quick! Call an ambulance!!
MAN : U…
GRANDPA (is lying in a pool of blood and seriously hurt, a bag clutched in his arms) : Please… Give this bag… (shoves the bag of banannas to Subaru) to my daughter Sachiyo…since she was little…she'd pretend to be sick so I'd bring her bananas….
SUBARU : Grandpa! Don't speak!
GRANDPA : Sachiyo will be happy for the 100th time…And I can finally join my wife… (dies)
SUBARU : Grandpa!? Grandpa! Grandpa!! (ojiiiiiiisaaaan T_T)

(*Ding! Dong!* the death- er... door- bell rings))

SACHIYO : Papa? Did you forget your keys again?! I've really had it with living with an irresponsible old man…But….Who are you? Oh… (sees the blood splattered Subaru handing her a blood splattered bag... of banannas)
SUBARU : Your father died crossing the road by the park…
SACHIYO : What?
SUBARU : He went to get bananas, because he knew it was your favorite fruit…
SACHIYO : No…
SUBARU : But he was in such a hurry to get them to you that he forgot to look where he was going…A truck hit him and he was dead within moments…He explained to me that your mother died long ago…and that he'd promised to make you happy 100 times before he died….I believe he was proud to say…that by buying these bananas he'd kept his promise… He said you have loved bananas since childhood…and today he was truly in a rush to make you happy. He asked them to hurry in the store… then he started back to the house, walking fast even on his fragile legs…
SACHIYO (falls down clutching the bag, crying.) : Papa…Papa!! Papa!

(Back at the park, Subaru puts flowers onto the bench where he conversed with the late ojiisan. Hokuto and Seishirou stood behind him)

SUBARU : That woman explained to me that she'd transferred all of her frustrations to her poor father…He'd become her sad sufferer and she took out all her anger on him, because he was defenseless…she cried, because she regretted being so unfair…and while she sobbed, she asked him to forgive her…there…It's over…no matter what this woman does, nothing will bring back her father…and they can no longer try to live happily together…
SEISHIRO : Old people represent an anguish, because they are the image of our future. The anguish falls into illness and impotency…the anguish depends on who you can mistreat….we age everyday…and mostly we feel unhappy with this prospect. (subaru looks like he's wearing a skirt suit...)
HOKUTO : I think we're wrong to not want to age! Because old people have had lots of time to learn, and they're much more intelligent than we are!!
SUBARU : Old people can be seen as living history books…people don't even understand when their lives are rich, unique and indispensable!!
SEISHIRO : You told me this grandpa wished to join his wife and tell her he'd kept his promise, right? Oh well, I'm sure he's already in the middle of telling her!
HOKUTO : Of course…come on, courage Subaru!

(The family of four walks past the park, the birds flocking around them)

SOKO : Mommy…were are we going?
SACHIYO : We're visiting your Grandpa and Grandma.
SOKO : But you said Grandpa died!
SACHIYO : Yes, it's true…he died because of me. You see dear, your mommy's not very smart….because she made your poor Grandpa suffer needlessly…Even if he can't forgive me…I'd like him to know how truly sorry I am…
HUSBAND You know kids, it was my fault too! Soko and Shinya, you loved your Grandpa a lot, right?
KIDS : Oh yes!!
SACHIYO : So, I'll ask you to keep this promise…never forget your Grandpa and continue to love him…
KIDS : Okay!!

HOKUTO : Come on Subaru! If you don't hurry up, we'll leave without you!
SUBARU (look up to the trees to see the ghost of Ojiisan fade away, a smile of his face) : No, wait! (Subaru smiles back)

end of OLD

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volume 7

Tokyo Babylon
VOL.7/BOX

Most people sing tragic love songs….It makes them feel like they are not alone in the world… (The picture shows the hand of a woman holding a microphone, behind her hand are the letter-numbers selection choices of a karaoke machine)

HOKUTO & SEISHIROU (In a Karaoke bar somewhere in Tokyo, the bright lights of the city shone against the night) : We'll go…where you want, when you want…la la la…And we'll still love…even when live is dead…All our lives…la la la…it'll be the same this morning…with the colors of Indian Summer!!
HOKUTO : (Hokuto finishes singing. it's worth it to mention that today, she has on from her ecletic collection of -er - clothes, for lack of a better word of description, a short poofy white dress complete with wings and... goggles) I think the best duet song is "Indian Summer"
SEISHIRO : Bravo Hokuto! I already knew you were the marvelous master of the maison, but I had no idea you sung well too!
HOKUTO : It's so obvious I'm talented! Come on sing! Time's a wasting and I remind you that this studio isn't free! And now. Your turn Subaru! (looms over Subaru intimidatingly)
SUBARU (freaks out) : Me?! But I don't know how to sing!
HOKUTO : What? You don't know how to sing!? You don't seem to understand why we've come here. Seishiro rented this space specially to make you happy. You don't want to ruin this surprise, that was paid for up front, just for you!?
SUBARU : Oh well, I don't know any songs…and I really don't have an ear for music…
SEISHIRO : Come on Subaru, I'm sure you have a pretty voice…And you must be able to sing!
SUBARU : Sei…Seishiro… (starts to hypervenalate)
HOKUTO : Since it's like that we'll play yami-karaoke!
SEISHIRO : A yami-karaoke (blind karaoke)…but what's that?
HOKUTO : The goal of the game is to randomly choose numbers that correspond with the songs we must sing! It's a bit like yami-nabe (a potluck stew usually made for picnics), because the result is always a surprise….The rules of the game are that you must sing everything that comes up on your turn!
SEISHIRO : Got it…now I understand why it's called yami-karaoke! Ah…the young these days have a real sense of humor! What fun!
HOKUTO : And you're just an old fogey! Listening to the way you talk, you'd think you were 100!
SEISHIRO : But…what will we do if Subaru decides not to sing!
HOKUTO : Oh, well….I have an idea! Starting now…you must do everything that Seishiro asks! (oo! Hokuto's feeling frisky)
SUBARU : WHAT?! (aww, Subaru's not T_T)
SEISHIRO : Truly, I think you have really good ideas!
HOKUTO : But if it happens that you don't sing, you're the one who will become his slave!
SEISHIRO : Tell me Hokuto, and if you're the one who doesn't sing?
HOKUTO : Oh well….I can't go for that, because I'm the only girl!
SEISHIRO : Actually you're lucky being the only girl…
HOKUTO : And go! Go for it Subaru!
SEISHIRO : Damn, I'm out of cigarettes! Tell me Subaru, would you be nice enough to get some for me…at the vending machine at the bar entrance? (takes Subaru's hand *_* and gives him some money) Get me a pack of Mild Seven, please.
SUBARU (surprised, but relieved) : Uh…Ok! (runs out like the hounds of hell on his heels, which isn't all that inaccurate of a statement)
HOKUTO : You think I didn't notice you did that on purpose!?
SEISHIRO : But… I don't know what you're talking about?
HOKUTO : It's true you smoke….But you never do it in front of Subaru. You missed a great occasion to have him fall into your arms…
SEISHIRO : (has a serious, but almost, sly? look on his face. *_* )Maybe…But I know too well how much you love your brother, and I didn't want to suffer the consequences! (after a moment serious silence, Seishirou promptly turned around and began to sing again) Don't cry…don't cry! Because I want you in my arms….la la la (Hiroshi Tachi song). (In the background Hokuto has fallen onto the ground with a T_T expression. Prehaps the wings got too heavy?)

(Subaru is standing in the brightly-lit halls before one of Japans Godly vending machines where they sell everything from gum to ... err fish.)

SUBARU (inserts coins into the vending machine): I won't go back…Hokuto always has such weird ideas…Seishiro saved me…(blushes bright red) He surely realized I didn't know that song…In any case, I know Seishiro's nice….and he never would ask anything embarrassing of me… It makes me wonder what is his real personality….who is Seishiro? (suddenly a very pretty woman in a bussiness suits popped out from behind one of the doors) Waaa!!
WOMAN (looks at Subaru curiously) : Seishirou is your boyfriend?
SUBARU : Uh no…not at all!
WOMAN (looks really confused, then something hit her) : Pardon me but…you're a boy?
SUBARU (looks a bit ruffled) : Of course I'm a boy! (no you're not!)
WOMAN (thinks this is the funnest thing in the world) : You're really cute…so I thought you were a girl! (we understand) Well, it's better this way, I'm really pleased to meet you! Here, come with me! (hooks her arm around Subaru's elbow and drags him into her room) I was starting to get tired of singing alone!
SUBARU : Waaah!
WOMAN (flipps through the karaoke songs guide) : Tell me, what do you like to sing?
SUBARU : Well…I came here with some friends…And I also don't sing very well…so….
WOMAN : Don't tell me that you smoke?! I suppose you're still in high school, right?
SUBARU : No, I don't smoke! These cigarettes are for Seishiro…
WOMAN : Ah…you bought them for your boyfriend! (Mwahahaha! The lady knows what she's talking about)
SUBARU (blushes) : No way, Seishirou is not my boyfriend! (yes he is!)
WOMAN (looks off dreamingly into her past) : I remember he smoked the same cigarettes…
SUBARU : What? (confused)
WOMAN : Come on! I'll sing first! And here's one of the classiest top ten songs in our country! It's office people's favorite! Let's go!
SUBARU : This woman is… (eccentric? mind-reading? weird? I agree.)
WOMAN : Each time I sing Akira Nakamori's "nanpasen"…I feel too serious and I'm moved!
SUBARU : What is it?
WOMAN : This song, what about it makes you sad? Would you like it if I sang…"Daite" (Hold me in your arms) by Seiko Matsuda?
SUBARU (he starts to realize something important) : It happened to you recently…
WOMAN : What?
SUBARU : You seem like you were suffering when you sang earlier… Your voice was so sad… Pardon me…I shouldn't stick my nose in your business!
WOMAN : No…to the contrary…You're right… You're not like the others…your eyes are magnificent (damn straight... or not)…they're full of mystery…in fact…I committed adultery.
SUBARU : You committed what?
WOMAN : I mean I went out with a married man. I worked with him…he was my superior (boss) …I think my story must seem boring… it's like a popular song! You're sure it won't bore you to listen…the story of a woman you don't even know? The story of a lone woman…met by chance, in a karaoke…
SUBARU : No! No!
WOMAN : From the moment I saw you, I knew you were a nice and attentive boy! I had a liason with my department chief…in the beginning, I was very naïve, and I was flattered to go out with a man his age…the first time we talked, then he invited me to dinner, and after that our relationship began….I came to the Nagano department. The first time I stepped foot in Tokyo, I only knew this town from television and manga…I was very scared, and I didn't feel safe…I told myself I should be vigilant every moment….sadly, three months after I arrived, I fell in one of the traps I was avoiding! In the beginning, things were clear cut in my mind because I knew he had a wife and children. This relationship was fun, we weren't serious, not him nor I…I had planned one day to break it off, to marry and have kids… And then…something suddenly changed for me…But not for him. He smoked the same brand of cigarettes. He smoked nearly two packs a day…even though I told him it bothered me, he didn't bother listening….so I became angry! He wasn't a very seductive man…and our conversations were always banal…I wanted him to fall in love…me with such a stupid man! To get rid of my anger, I started frequenting this karaoke bar. Listening to all the song lyrics, I realized other girls were much more unhappy than I…and I finally understood, that my story seemed a lot like the others….most people love to sing tragic love songs…because it makes them feel like they're no longer alone… I know all the karaoke songs that talk of deceptive love that I was living myself….sadly, none of them ended well. Deep down, I knew it couldn't work. I knew that from the beginning…But I committed the error of hoping mine would end differently from the others…I was naive enough to believe he'd get a divorce, and I'd become his wife. Then one day he coldly announced…That it was finished between us (a picture of a man walking away on a background of empty darkness) . And there it is…don't you think my story is like all the others? It's like…all these songs…at that moment when he said those words...I felt the world crash around me…When I think back, I mocked those girls living that kind of sentimental deception…I was far from realizing that I was doing the same sort of thing as them…Today, they mock me!
SUBARU : (takes the woman's hands and smiles at her) No one can mock you…because you are the only one who knows the intensity of your sadness. No one has the right to mock you! Don't compare your life anymore to those songs….because each story is different…And it's not because the other girls never feel regret…that you should stay unhappy…for eternity! Please… The next time…promise me to have no regrets.
WOMAN : (the woman looked shocked at first, but slowly the realization sunk in and she turned away with a sad smile on her face) Thank you... (she fades away leaving only wisps of light in the air)
SUBARU : Good bye. (he held the final glimmer of light in his hands and touched the back of his hands to his lips) In your next life, don't commit suicide… (he placed the box of cigarettes onto the class coffee table) I hope you'll be happy…

(Subaru cautiously snuck back into his room, as he entered, Hokuto is singing energeticly)

HOKUTO : Like a virgin…Hey! Touched for the very first time! (sees Subaru) Subaru, you're very late!!
SUBARU (backs away freaks out) : Waa!
HOKUTO : Where were you?
SUBARU : Oh well…how should I say…
HOKUTO : And so? Where are the cigarettes?
SUBARU : Uh…that is…in fact…It's no big deal…I'll go buy some!
SEISHIRO : Don't worry Subaru…In any case, I still have a pack in the car!
SUBARU : Then…
SEISHIRO : I'm sure…that you really did a good thing for that girl… (puts his arms around Subaru from the back, giving him a hug)
SUBARU : Sei…seishiro!
HOKURO : Wait! (fist in air)
SUBARU : (turns bright red) You mustn't do that in front of my sister! Why did he say I'd done…a good thing?
SEISHIRO : Ha ha ha ha
SUBARU : Maybe he knew of the presence of that girl?
HOKUTO (banashing her microphone threateningly at Subaru) : Subaru, don't think you can get out of it like that! You're condemned to sing Wakaretemosuki Nahito (We are separated, but I love you still) With Seishiro!! Sing!
SEISHIRO : Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
SUBARU : Hokuto!!

end of BOX

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volume 8

Tokyo Babylon
VOL.8/REBIRTH

Re-birth [ri:-berth]: n. [U,C] Regeneration; Resurection; Reconstruction (picture of hospital equipment)

SUBARU (in a hospital, coughing, Hokuto pats his head with concern) : Don't worry Hokuto, the doctor said I just have a cold…Anyway, he gave me a vaccine!
HOKUTO : You are my only brother…it's normal for me to worry about you! Subaru, I'm very upset to see you like this! Remember you often had a fever when you little!
SUBARU : Thanks, you're sweet!
SPEAKER : *Ding Dong*…Sumeragi Subaru…Mr. Sumeragi…you are requested to come get your medicine…
HOKUTO : Don't move, I'll go get them!
SUBARU : Thanks Hokuto… (a little boy runs up and sits beside Subaru) Did you come here alone?
YUYA : Yes, but…My mommy's coming for me today!
SUBARU : You seem very mature!
YUYA : Did you catch a cold?
SUBARU : Yes, but since the doctor gave me a shot, I'll get better quickly…and you, do you also have a cold?
YUYA : No, oh… Look over there, that's the operating room I'll go to later (points down a long dark hall)… While I'm waiting, I must stay here because it's not yet my turn…
NURSE (walks up) : Yuya…Yuya, you can come!
YUYA : Will you come back soon…to the hospital?
SUBARU : Yes, I'll come back after tomorrow to get my medicine…
YUYA : After tomorrow!? At what time? At the same time as today? So, you'll come see me! Because, I'll be here everyday…
SUBARU : Everyday!?
NURSE : Come on Yuya, it's time…
YUYA : Ok! See you day after tomorrow! (a tired woman meets him with a sad smile on her face)
SUBARU (thinks to himself) : He's called Yuya…that woman must be his mother…she seems….very tired…she must surely be worried about her son…
HOKUTO (comes back) : Here they are Subaru, I got all your medicine! Also I've got a surprise for you….I found a chauffeur to take you home! Ha ha ha!
SUBARU : But… (Seishirou walks up) it's Seishiro!
SEISHIRO (cheerful as always *_*): I'm your new chauffeur! Hello Subaru, how are you?
SUBARU : I'm much better thanks…but how'd you know I was here?
SEISHIRO : When I went home, I found a message from Hokuto on my answering machine…. (Hokuto sprouts a kitti-tail in the background as she smiles mischieviously) she told me that my dear little Subaru was at the hospital, and I should come quickly!
SUBARU : Oh, I'm sorry…I've gotten in the way of your work again…
SEISHIRO : Of course not! I didn't hesitate for an instant…I came here because I knew you needed me!
HOKUTO : Bravo Seishiro, you racked up lots of points this time!
SEISHIRO : I'm Seishiro Sakurazuka and I'll do everything in my power to prove my love to Subaru!
SUBARU : Sei…seishiro!
HOKUTO : By the way Subaru…who were you saying good bye to?
SUBARU : I said good bye to a little boy about ten years old, who comes to the hospital regularly…her told me he often comes alone…
HOKUTO : That must be very hard for a child his age…but…in what department is he?
SUBARU : He said he was going to that operation room over there….down the hall…apparently he comes everyday…I may come see him… Because I have other medicines to pick up the day after tomorrow…
SEISHIRO : I think this child comes to the hospital for dyialysis…

(back at the twins' apartment, Subaru is tucked into bed)

SUBARU (thinks to himself, a picture of Yuya smiling cheerfully) : Why? (looks worried) He's dialysised…

(Hokuto and Seishirou are out on the couch talking)

SEISHIRO : The place that Subaru pointed to is in the area where they practice dialysises…that's why I think that little boy must have trouble with his kidnes… Dialysis is indespensible to everyone who has dysfunctional kidneys…they need help from a special machine, two or three times a month, In any case…the malady is always a difficult thing to accept…but, in a child his age it's even more difficult to take him to the hospital all the time…
HOKUTO : That's terrible…I hope that Subaru doesn't get too worried about this little boy…
SEISHIRO : Hokuto, you really are a very nice girl!
HOKUTO : No, it's not me who is nice… it's Subaru… Subaru has always had a tendency to be too caught up in other people's feelings….when he sees someone suffer, he suffers…when he sees someone who is desperate, so is he…he can't do anything…he's like that to the core…Being a master of Yin and Yang, he must live those experiences. He's very moved by human nature, because he invests himself completely each time he works…the problem is that Subaru never got used to the harshness of life…I'm sure he remembers every person he met to this day, who he worked on….most of them have probably already forgotten him, but he will never forget them…All those memories embedded in his mind…and he'll never get rid of them… Since we were children…I thought that with his character, he'd never survive! I said to myself that his soul was so pure….that in the end it'd break, under the weight of life's burdens…Happily, Subaru loves no one…thus nothing's happened…
SEISHIRO : However, Subaru feels strongly about you, Hokuto…
HOKUTO : Yes, but…I'm family. Subaru has a lot of love to give, but he never thinks of himself…he's incapable of being self absorbed…and yet he thinks of others as easily as breathing! But… If he ever loves someone in particular…and that person betrays him… I'm sure Subaru will die!
SEISHIRO : Hokuto, let me say that…you are really an adorable girl!
HOKUTO : Ah! That nice compliment deserves the specialty of the house…a cup of royal tea with mild! While I'm at it, I'll make some for Subaru! Maybe I should make a hot ginseng drink too?!
SEISHIRO : Such sweetness…such purity of the soul…these are the feelings I know nothing of… I believe the day of our promise draws near… (takes off his glasses, which usually signals change in his personality, a evil smile on his face) Subaru

(back at the hospital)

SUBARU : I wonder if Yuya is already here… (sees the little boy suddenly fall, gasping for breath. The nurse held him up) Yuya!!
YUYA (smiles) : Ah….it's you!
SUBARU : Yuya…are you feeling ok?
YUYA : Yes. I'm just a bit out of breath…I'll calm down and it'll get better….
NURSE : Yuya, promise me to stay calm…while waiting for your mom to come.
YUYA : Ok. Will you stay with me for a bit?
SUBARU : - He looks truly unhappy…I've already got my medicine… - In fact, I was waiting for you to come!
YUYA : Oh…thanks… (suddenly falls again)
NURSE : Yuya! Yuya!

(in a hospital room, Subaru sits beside a bed where Yuya lies, connected to an IV)

SUBARU (worried, holding Yuya's hand) : He's so young…he always comes to the hospital…for diayalysis…I think he'd rather play with kids his age… (suddenly hears loud commotion outside, it is Yuya's mother arguing with a doctor)
YUYA'S MOTHER (tired as usual and angry) : I can't wait any longer! Yuya's waited for a kidney transplant for three years…Each day, he has more medications that I can count on one hand…and three times a month, he's submitted to diaylysis! I know he suffers…but he holds back his tears, so I won't worry! I…I can't take it anymore…
DOCTOR : I'm sorry Ma'am, but your child isn't the only one awaiting a kidney transplant! And sadly, this hospital isn't the only establishment in Japan to order organ transplants for people….Be patient…And think that if your child hear this, he'd be very worried… (Yuya's mother is crying)
YUYA : Mommy…I hurt…I hurt…

(Subaru is performing some sort of ritual with a small temple on top of a roof somewhere - the hospital?- as he finishes Seishirou walks up holding a box of goodies)

SEISHIRO : Are you done with your work?
SUBARU : Seishiro!
SEISHIRO : Look! I brought you a cake that your sister made with love! I didn't know there was a Shinto temple on the hospital roof…
SUBARU : It's true…to celebrate the spirits of the earth, a yin/yang master of the Sumeragi family comes each year…
SEISHIRO : Hokuto explained to me…that…you have asked your grandmother to celebrate the earth spirits in this hospital even though she'd already designated a yin/yang master from your family to do it…I know that you had lots of work the other day, and you don't often rest…Hokuto was very worried about this…she told me about your young friend who is hospitalized…And since she had a gallant date today… a cake for the boy!
SUBARU : Thanks for coming Seishiro, because I don't doubt you have a lot of work right now…
SEISHIRO : Subaru, please…Subaru…if you knew the reason I became a vet… (has his back to Subaru, a dark look overshadows his face) I think you'd be terrified…
SUBARU (surprised) : What?
SEISHIRO (walks away) : No, nothing…

(back in Yuya's hospital room)

YUYA : Come in…
SUBARU : Hello!
YUYA : It's you, Subaru!
SUBARU : You look good today…
YUYA : That's normal, I don't have dialysis today…Look, I've already read more than half the book you gave me!
SUBARU : Hey…my twin sister made this cake you. (gives him the cake)
YUYA : Thanks, that's nice! (unwrapps the lace and opens the box, it's a multilayered creamy cake with what looks like a layer of jello on top *_*) Oh…it's so beautiful! Did she really make it?
SUBARU : Yes, Hokuto is a very good cook…
YUYA : It looks delicious! Subaru who is that man?
SUBARU : Man…
SEISHIRO : Hello Yuya, I'm Seishiro Sakurazuka, I'm a vet, and I work near your friend Subaru!
YUYA : Hello Mr. Vet!
SUBARU : You know Yuya, Seishiro is a young man…you shouldn't call him sir!
DOCTOR (walks in with a nurse and Yuya's mother) : So Yuya, are you doing well?
YUYA : Yep…
YUYA'S MOTHER : Hello…
NURSE (runs in) : Doctor!! We have a problem with the patient in room 302!
DOCTOR (worried, runs out in a hurry) : Excuse me Yuya…I'll be back later!
SUBARU : Ma'am… (Yuya's mother has a look on her face before running out after them) wait!
DOCTOR (talking to a distraught woman) : Your husband…has encephalitis…for the moment he's breathing artificially, but without this machine's aid, he won't survive…I'm sorry, but there's no hope…
WOMAN : My husband! My dear…sniff…my love… (kneeling before her unconcious husband's bed, sobbing)
YUYA'S MOTHER (walks into the room, a dark scary look on her face) : His kidneys…his kidneys…for Yuya…
SUBARU : Ma'am!!
YUYA'S MOTHER : Let me go! Maybe if I ask her, she'll accept. There's still enough time for him to do a graft!
SUBARU : Wait!! Ma'am! Ma'am!
YUYA MOTHER : Get lost, (pushes Subaru away) his heart will stop beating! Please! Let me go!! It's for Yuya!! For my little Yuya!!
SEISHIRO : (catches Yuya's mother's hand) Ma'am you who have a sick child…try to understand what that woman is going through, terrified at the idea of loosing her husband! She knows he's condemned…but still she keeps hoping…There's nothing more terrible than watching a dear one fall ill…And nothing else to be done…but watch.For you, a man with encephalia is deadman. But for his family members, he's still alive.
YUYA'S MOTHER : (calms down crying silently) Waaa. I know…I know how this woman feels…living with such a burden…and yet…what I wish is terrible! It's very terrible to be sick…Who envy those who had the luck to be healthy…You may not understand…but…health is the most important thing for a human being's life! Yuya…Yuya…I'm sorry…I'm sorry to not bring you into the world healthy…
SUBARU : Ma'am… (the woman had fallen onto the ground crying)

(at the doctor's office)

DOCTOR : The disease is often very difficult for both the sick and their family to accept…poor woman…she lost her first child at four years, from a kidney disease…It was a girl…she was named Maya. After her husband's death, she lived only for her two children…at the time, she knew they both suffered from the same disease...Once she learned about it, she donated one of her kidneys to save one of her kids…each normal human being has two kidneys…and we know it's possible to live normally with only one…sadly, this mother had two children, and she was forced to choose…
YUYA MOTHER : Yuya…or Maya?
DOCTOR : Finally, she chose Maya…but the kidney was rejected..and the little one was submitted to new dialysis…then her condition continued to worsen and she died during winter…that was four years ago…Yuya's body may not have rejected a new kidney…He wouldn't have needed any more dialysis, if he had been chosen…
SEISHIRO : (the doctor leaves) For different reasons, organ transplants…are not well known in Japan… Most people don't like the idea of their organs being removed, even after death…others think that dead are Hokote (Buddhist god representing death), and that it's wrong to remove organs from sacred beings…have you ever seen some one with encephalitis? Even if their brain no longer functions, and they've no chance of ever awakening…their hearts continue to beat, thanks to the machinery…they breathe…and their body stays warm. It's an ideal situation for organ harvesting…and organ transplants…The organs most often harvested in this case are the heart, kidneys, liver or cornea…but…None of it can be done without the sick person's family's permission…
SUBARU : I…I wish my body could save many people's lives…I'd like them to continue to live…and prolong my life a bit… In anycase, I can't do much to help others…I'd be happy to save one life, one last time, before being crudely turned into ashes…True is my wish…even if it hurts my sister and grandmother.
SEISHIRO : (puts his arms around Subaru) But I don't think so… In fact, I believe that Hokuto would be proud of your choice…those who let their organs be donated, think that they can prolong their lives a little…The victim's family's are given new hope…In imagining their lost one still lives on, in a sense, in someone else's body… I'm sure Hokuto and your grandmother will respect your decision…But…If you ever leave this world before you sister….I believe she will be furious and she'll never forgive you! (Subaru smiles)
SUBARU : I wonder how Yuya is today? I brought him the book he asked for last time…will he be able to get up? He'll get better soon…maybe we'll be able to take a walk together? I hope that his mom feels better…I'll go tell her…that I'm ready to donate my kidney…

(Rushing to the hospital and notices the commotion)

YUYA'S MOTHER : Yuya!!

(walking in the hospital, Seishirou's arms are piled high with boxes)

HOKUTO : Subaru, I don't know why he brought him books? Kids his age prefer video games! "Street Fighter 2" and "Super Mario Kart"…
SEISHIRO : In any case, he loves the books! They adore talking animals, the both of them…
HOKUTO : When I see them together, it's a little like seeing two Subarus!
SEISHIRO : Ha ha ha ha.

YUYA'S MOTHER : I'm…sorry… I'm…sorry…
SUBARU : Ma'am…
YUYA'S MOTHER (not listening) : Yuya…Maya…it's all my fault…No one wants to give you…their kidneys…Yuya…
SUBARU : Ma'am…
YUYA'S MOTHER (not listening) : A kidney…for Yuya…
SUBARU : Ma'am…
YUYA'S MOTHER (not listening) : But you…you could give Yuya a kidney…Please, I beg of you…
SUBARU : Ma'am…
YUYA'S MOTHER (not listening) : It must be done quickly…or he'll die…
SUBARU : Ma'am, listen to me! I'd be happy to give him my kidney!
YUYA'S MOTHER (still not listening) : Yuya!! (her back to Subaru and grabs a knife)

(walks towards where Subaru and Yuya's mother are realizes something was wrong)

HOKUTO : Subaru!!

(swinging the knife at Subaru, cutting him)

YUYA'S MOTHER : I must have a kidney…it matters not who's! (Tries to kill Subaru again, but Subaru only stands there, waiting for the knife to kill him)

(Suddenly Seishirou appears stepping in front of Subaru, the woman's knife cut into his eye, blood splattered everywhere and his glasses are knocked off)

HOKUTO : Seishiro!!
YUYA'S MOTHER : Kyaaa!! (tries to attack again, but Seishirou stoppes her, holding one hand over his bleeding eye)
SUBARU : (watches in shock as the nurses and doctor swarm around the subdued woman and the injured Seishirou) Seishiro… Seishiro! Seishiro! Seishiro! (pounds on the door, behind which Seishirou was led away, in panic)
HOKUTO : (tries to stop Subaru from hurting himself even more) Subaru! Control yourself, Subaru!
SUBARU : (sobbing in dispair) Seishiro!! Seishiro!! Seishiro!!
HOKUTO : Subaru…
SUBARU : (slides to the floor, crying, trails of blood from his injured hand smears down the door)) Seishiro!! (the room is dark as Hokuto watches Subaru helplessly) Sei.. shi… ro…

end of REBIRTH

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